Astros report: Bass returns to action after 47-game absence

Astros right fielder George Springer takes an extra-base hit away from the Mariners' Brad Miller in the second inning Wednesday.

Astros right fielder George Springer takes an extra-base hit away...

Astros righthanded reliever Anthony Bass threw 12⁄3 innings and allowed one run in his first game back from the disabled list Wednesday in a 5-2 loss to Seattle. A right intercostal strain had forced him to miss 47 games.

But Fowler's right intercostal strain shouldn't require as much time away as Bass needed, according to manager Bo Porter and general manager Jeff Luhnow

"I think it's less, because it's not in the same area," Porter said. "Dexter's more (located in his) back than it is that front oblique area, so I don't think it's going to be that long."

Said Luhnow: "They are different magnitudes of those injuries, so we don't expect this to be Bass length."

Bass didn't expect his injury to take him away as long as it did.

"Everything was pretty steady," Bass said of his rehab. "After those 31/2 weeks, you've got to start throwing again … and then you've got to go on the rehab assignment, so that's what took so long."

Luhnow and Porter expect Fowler to be ready to go when his 15 days on the disabled list end July 12. But that leaves Fowler just two games to play before the All-Star break, which could open a door to a question of whether he should be given additional time off.

Altuve's spikes bound for Hall

The Hall of Fame has requested the spikes Jose Altuve wore Sunday, when he stole more than one base for a fourth consecutive game. No player had done that since Indians shortstop Ray Chapman in 1917.

Including Altuve, only three players have achieved the feat in the modern era (since 1900). The spikes are slated for the Hall's "This Year in Baseball" case.

The multi-steal streak ended Monday.

Altuve has a chance to lead the American League in hits, steals and batting average at the All-Star break - he currently leads those categories. He would become the first AL player to do so since Ichiro Suzuki in 2003.

Oberholtzer's spot in jeopardy

The Astros made final that lefty Brett Oberholtzer is to pitch Thursday and Dallas Keuchel on Friday as Keuchel re-enters the rotation. After Oberholtzer's start, the Astros will have to make a decision about what to do with him.

Manager Bo Porter wants Oberholtzer to remain a starter, likely ruling out the possibility he stays on in the major league bullpen.

Oberholtzer has done well in two spot starts, allowing a combined two runs over 131⁄3 innings.

"I think when you look at Oberholtzer being pretty much our sixth starter - or the guy that if one of our starters were to go down, he would be thrust into the rotation - it'd be wise for us to keep him built up," Porter said.

Whether the Astros would try a six-man rotation for several turns remains to be seen.

Albers likely out until after break

Astros reliever Matt Albers continues to throw as he works his way back from right shoulder tendinitis, but don't look for him before the second half begins.

Jesse Crain is in Houston as he rehabs his right shoulder, which was operated on in the offseason. But at this point, it seems the Astros would be fortunate to get two months of work from him. Neither Crain nor general manager Jeff Luhnow has set a timetable.

Righthander Josh Fields (right forearm soreness) is eligible to come off the DL. The hope is he can be activated during the Astros' seven-game road trip to Anaheim and Arlington.